Weird band dependency issue

gustobassman · #1 07-07-2011, 12:55 PM

Ok, so our Bandleader/lead singer/guitard has this issue with not being able to rehearse without having the full band there. We are 7 piece band; 2 guits, bass, drums, percussion, DJ and trumpet. Usually the DJ has other engagements (he's busy), trumpet we can get by without, and the percussion ... well it's percussion.

We only practice about 1-2, maybe 3 times a week but only with a full band. it's starting to bug me that this guy will not practice with just guits, bass and drums! I have never been in a band situation where the rhythm section didn't really rehearse on their own (to tighten things up, duh), and with everyone there it's hard to pinpoint where fixes are needed because so much is going on. He also has decided we wont play any shows unless it's full band. We wrote these songs without the DJ, performed them for a year or so without the DJ, and he doesn't really add anything except intro/outro parts and some samples here and there.

Am i crazy or does this sound like some kind of dependency issue? The guy never sleeps alone, can't hang out by himself, and always is within earshot of family. As far as the not performing without the DJ (or percussion & trumpet for that matter), i'm beginning to wonder if this guy needs all the other stuff going on to take the attention away from him. He's the singer for crying out loud! My other question is what will happen on the road when this guy is away from his support group of friends, family, bartenders, etc..

Alright, rant over. Suggestions?

AfroCubanFunkMa · #2 07-07-2011, 05:25 PM

Run.. Don't walk.. Refer him to a head shrinker and get some other irons in the fire..

Doctor Dirt · #3 07-07-2011, 05:40 PM

What he said!!! Except run faster!!! Doc

Vakmere · #4 07-08-2011, 10:30 AM

Does he sleep alone or with a Teddybear?

RichardCranium · #5 07-08-2011, 12:29 PM

How does he learn songs on his own then?

Floridabwoy · #6 07-08-2011, 12:33 PM

practice 3 times a week PLUS gig is a lot for anyones schedule, much less 7 people's schedule.

I would tell him to chill.

RustyAxe · #7 07-08-2011, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gustobassman

We only practice about 1-2, maybe 3 times a week but only with a full band.

I can't imagine 7 people willing to rehearse (practice is what one does to hone one's own chops) three times a week, unpaid. Unless he changes his ways, that band is doomed. Really.

bluewine · #8 07-08-2011, 01:22 PM

Why are you rehearsing 3 times a week?

Why do you need a trumpet player.?

Bass Mule · #9 07-08-2011, 01:24 PM

I think you guys are misreading the OP. I think he's saying the band practices 1-2, maybe 3 times per week WITH THE FULL BAND. (Which is way too much IMO.) The poster wants the lead singer to have practices on top of that even if the whole band can't make it.

OR,

He's saying that the 1-2, maybe 3 times per week (...again, too much...) the whole band doesn't need to be there, just the core of the band.

I'm not interpreting anything in the OP that they want to reduce the actual number of practices.

HolmeBass · #10 07-08-2011, 01:30 PM

I think once a week is plenty, give peeps some time to play other gigs, practice material at home, and chill. 3 times a week is for when you're learning 30 new tunes or getting ready to go out on a world tour after a 1 year hiatus.

Bass Mule · #11 07-08-2011, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluewine

Why are you rehearsing 3 times a week?

Why do you need a trumpet player.?

They're a ska band.

gustobassman · #12 07-08-2011, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass Mule

I think you guys are misreading the OP. I think he's saying the band practices 1-2, maybe 3 times per week WITH THE FULL BAND. (Which is way too much IMO.) The poster wants the lead singer to have practices on top of that even if the whole band can't make it.

close.. i should have been clearer. he plays rhythm guitar as well, and it would be beneficial for us to do core practices so he can A) tighten up the guitar lines, and B) work on vocals without all the other stuff going on. we have a relatively small room, so it gets cluttered when everyone is there.

Even so, with the full band there we take time out (20-30 min, those guys can go smoke, go to the bar, eat, whatever..)so the core can work on some riffs and bring the other guys back from a quick break to develop ideas. Doesn't work for you? no big deal. we like it. i would prefer we had whole nights with just the core, but he doesn't like it that way.

3 times a week practice? that's how they've been doing it for over 7 years (i've been with the band almost 2 now, this was their previous schedule before the lineup was revamped). OBVIOUSLY if we have a gig, we aren't going to do 3 nights so we can be fresh for the gig. If we are on the road we can't rehearse right? i wasn't implying that we practice 3 night a week 52 weeks a year. Our gigs pay for our practice time and more, so that's not an issue either.

All the bands i have played with have practiced a buttload except for gig nights and touring. It's fine with me and everyone else. We like being very tight, and we do work on new stuff all the time. Nobody has kids, a night job, or angry girlfriends. This works just fine for us. To each his own right? Like i said before, i would prefer the core worked a few things out without having to have all the cooks in the kitchen throw ideas out when we are developing something. But, i guess we all can't get what we want all the time.

Bluewine.. we have a trumpet player because we play rock-reggae and it fits the songs. we used to have trombone too, but that guy stole from the band and we haven't spent the time looking for a full time replacement. Horn players in San Diego are mercenaries, most play with like 3-4 bands. it's hard to lock a good horn player down.

gustobassman · #13 07-08-2011, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass Mule

They're a ska band.

close #2.. rock reggae.. some ska-ish stuff, but more towards rock and reggae.